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Where Monsters Lie #1
- Writer:
- Kyle Starks
- Artist:
- Piotr Kowalski
- Letterer:
- Joshua Reed
- Cover Artist:
- Piotr Kowalski, Vladimir Popov
- Publisher:
- Dark Horse
- Price:
- $3.99
- Release Date:
- 2023-02-01
- Colorist:
- Vladimir Popov
Imagine a gated community that shelters horror movie villains to cover their tracks and set up their elaborate schemes. Dark Horse Comics sets up that exact premise in their latest creator-owned endeavor, a four-issue miniseries that puts a new spin on the slasher genre. Where Monsters Lie #1, from the minds of writer Kyle Starks, artists Piotr Kowalski, colorist Vladimir Popov, and letterer by Joshua Reed, welcomes readers to a peculiar place where the wicked and strange reside.
Wilmhurst is a private community that looks sleepy and unremarkable from the outside. But inside, it hides damning secrets. The world's most wanted serial killers, cannibals, and slasher villains have found a home in this quiet retirement community. Everything goes south when one of the notorious tenants, Puzzleman, accidentally lets a victim escape. Zel, their den mother and impromptu leader, gets the situation under control and tries to remind everyone of the rules. Unbeknownst to them, another one of Puzzleman's victims finds their way out of Wilmhurst and informs the police about what's really going on.
Writer Kyle Starks flawlessly carries out the three acts of Where Monsters Lie #1. The first moments of the issue perfectly set the chaotic tone, with panicked children running and pleading for help. With this comes a shocking turn of events, a bloodbath that brings a plethora of questions. To quell those queries, the story delves deep into exposition. The most compelling aspect of Where Monsters Lie #1 is how seamlessly this setup weaves into the narrative. Readers learn about the many members of the community, their twisted personalities, and how Wilmhurst safeguards and nurtures these inhumane affairs.
Piotr Kowalski's mastery of line hatching gives the art a garish look. The line work makes everything looks aged, like wrinkles around the eyes or the gravelly appearance of roads. Kowlaski's art shines when the story gets gory. Though brief, the horrific expressions and blood spray are what Where Monsters Lie needed to make an impactful first impression. Popov's muted hues linger over Wilmhurst. Richard's clown costume and the interior of Zel's house are great examples of contrasting colors that make characters stand out against the melancholy backdrops. Reed's lettering spaces the dialogue evenly to match the scenes and frequently uses connecting speech balloons to keep conversations from feeling convoluted.
Kyle Starks has crafted an evil ensemble cast that perfectly encapsulates iconic horror archetypes while remaining wholly original. For the time being, Where Monsters Lie #1 provides a taste of how far these villains are willing to go to protect their anonymity. Now that their true actions are likely to come to light, the residents' desire for bloodshed and gore will reach new heights.